KMPDU rejects fresh negotiations on doctors' basic salary adjustments

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) has dismissed proposals to reopen negotiations on doctors’ basic salary adjustments, saying the process is now firmly in the implementation phase following agreements reached and adopted in court in 2024.

In a letter to members dated January 20, 2026, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the union rejected a proposal by stakeholders to form a new multi-agency forum to re-examine the implementation of adjusted basic salaries, arguing that similar engagements had already been concluded.

According to the union, a consultative meeting convened by the Ministry of Public Service on December 5, 2025, brought together the Ministry of Health, the Council of Governors, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and the National Treasury to discuss the matter.

Resolutions from that meeting were communicated to the union on December 18, 2025, including the proposal for fresh multi-agency talks, which KMPDU opposed.

KMPDU maintained that a multi-agency team had already worked on the issue for more than eight months beginning in early 2023, resulting in agreed salary notches and clearly defined arrears.

These outcomes, the union noted, were adopted by the court in 2024, making further negotiations unnecessary and potentially delaying implementation.

“Subsequently, both the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors supported our position, acknowledging that further multi-agency engagements would only result in unnecessary delays,” stated Dr. Atellah.

“They jointly recommended that the Department of Public Service Management (DPSN) proceed with the implementation of the agreed salary adjustments without further deferment. This was communicated via an MoH letter dated January 8th, 2026.”

The KMPDU boss said discussions are now ongoing between the SRC and the Department of Public Service Management to finalize the implementation framework.

He added that the union expects a substantive progress update and conclusion by mid-February 2026, following a scheduled meeting with SRC on February 10, 2026.

While acknowledging that the process has been prolonged, the union said it remains confident the adjustments will be concluded, noting that both ministries and the Council of Governors have affirmed that funds are available to actualize the revised salaries.

“Going forward, it will be critical to accurately track and account for all arrears accruing from July 2025 up to the point when the adjusted salaries are fully reflected on members’ payslips,” Dr. Atellah urged union members.